Sydney Guillaume


Sydney Guillaume is a Haitian-American composer of contemporary classical music and film music, conductor, clinician, singer and pianist based out of Portland, Oregon. He has composed music for a variety of chamber ensembles, but is known primarily for his choral compositions.

Biography

Sydney Guillaume is a Haitian-American composer and conductor known for his vibrant choral works that merge elements of Haitian culture with concert music. Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Guillaume began his musical education with piano lessons at a young age. After moving to Miami, he continued his studies and developed a passion for choral music. He pursued his Bachelor of Music in Composition with an emphasis in Media Writing and Production at the University of Miami, where he studied with the acclaimed conductor Jo-Michael Scheibe, composer Robert Gower, and pianist Rosalina Sackstein.
Guillaume’s compositions are celebrated for their rhythmic complexity. Most of his choral works are sung in Haitian Creole and French, with original poetry by his father, Gabriel T. Guillaume. His works have been featured at prestigious international festivals and conferences such as the American Choral Directors Association and the World Choir Games. He has received numerous commissions from prominent choirs, including The University of Miami Frost Chorale, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Seraphic Fire, Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate Choir, The Saint Louis Chamber Singers, The Miami Children's Chorus, Korora Choir, and The Westminster Chorus. His contributions to Haitian music and culture were recognized with his induction into the 1804 List of Haitian-American Change Makers in 2016 and an honor from Haiti’s top music school, l’École de Musique St. Trinité in 2017.
In addition to his choral work, Guillaume has composed film scores for Loyola Productions. He is also the conductor of the Imbroglio Sextet, a multinational ensemble with musicians from Haiti, Spain, and the United States. The sextet has released two albums and toured extensively, including performances in Haiti, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Finland, and the Netherlands.
Guillaume moved to Portland in 2013, after living in Los Angeles for ten years. He is active in the music world as a composer, conductor, clinician, and singer. Most of his compositions are self-published. His work continues to resonate with both local and international audiences, reflecting his dedication to blending cultural heritage with concert music.

Works

Choral works

Kalinda, SSAATTBB Pour Toi, Mère, SSAATTBB with piano accompaniment Anmwe, SSAATTBB a cappella with soprano solo Touched in Love, SATB with piano accompaniment Men Nou SSA with piano accompaniment St. Francis de Sales Mass, SATB with organ Dominus Vobiscum, SATB a cappella Twa Tanbou, SATB a cappella Koudjay, SSA a cappella Mama Afrika, SSAATTBB and percussion Wipip!!!, SATB a cappella Lakay, SSA and orchestra Ego Sum, SSAATTBB a cappella Peyi Mwen, arranged for SA with flute and piano accompaniment Au-delà du Chagrin, SATBB a cappella Diplomasi, SATB with divisi a cappella N ap Debat, TTBB with drums Kinalaganach, SSATB with brass quartet and drum Fèt Chanpèt, SATB with drums Ayiti , SATB and baritone solo with percussion Plakatap, SSA with percussion La Providence, SSA a cappella Tap-Tap, SATB a cappella Te Deum, SATBB a cappella Le Dernier Voyage, SSAATTBB a cappella Chapo Pou Fanm, SSAA a cappella Gagòt, TTBB a cappella Blogodop, SATB with drums Akeem, SSA and piano, string quartet, or string orchestra Nou Se Limyè, SATB with piano accompaniment Yon Monn Nouvo, SA and SATB with piano and percussion Kanaval, SATB or SSAA with percussion Musique, SA and SATB with piano accompaniment Kanpe La, TTBB a cappella Dilèm, SSA with woodwind quintet Tchaka, SATB with percussion Ranpono, SATB a cappella Ansanm Ansanm, SATB with conga drum Alleluia Amen, SATB double choir a cappella Réfugié, Mon Frère, SSA with piano accompaniment and optional string quartet Renmen Renmen, TTBB a cappella Leve Kanpe, SATB with percussion Ay'bobo Pou Yo, SATB with percussion Kouraj, SATB with percussion Finding a Home, SATB with percussion C'est Beau La Vie, SATB a cappella Nou La, SATB and soprano solo This, Too, Shall Pass, SATB with piano accompaniment G on Jan Pou Ye, SATB with percussion A Taste of Freedom, SATB with orchestra Douce Espérance, SATB divisi a cappella I Will Not Look Away, TTBB with piano accompaniment

Large ensemble works

Lakay, SSA chorus and orchestra Akeem, SSA chorus and string orchestra Renesans, for wind ensemble Lavil Okap, for orchestra A Taste of Freedom, SATB chorus and orchestra

Chamber works

Lago, for woodwind quintet Lespwa, for 4-part cello ensemble with optional 5th part Imbroglio, for trumpet, clarinet, and string quartet The View, for trumpet, clarinet, and string quartet

Solo works

Angoisse, for solo piano Probono, for solo piano

Film scores

Who Cares About the Saints?
  • ''The Real Deal''